Flowers galore

Flowers give a home instant warmth and personality. The porch of this Illinois house brims with hanging baskets of begonias, while a long planter chock-full of flowers and foliage substitutes for a window box on the porch railing. More flowers and foliage of varying heights fill the front yard.

Color pops

Pops of red on the garage and two large containers add just enough color to this entrance. The wood railing, decorative planks above the porch and wood shingles share a basic neutral color but have intriguingly different shapes and lines. A path curves through garden-like landscaping to the front porch.

Dutch door

A cottage-style Dutch door swings open at the top to let in fresh air and create a connection between inside and outside. The vibrant yellow color makes an eye-catching statement on the otherwise all-white home. A bench, large wall lamp and assortment of plants give the entrance more welcoming touches.

Personal welcome

Welcome mats come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure the one you put down fits your style. This wood one is engraved with the homeowner's name, others come with initials, images of favorite pets, and more.

Porch personality

A front porch, even on a small house, can boost your home's curb appeal. Here, an eye-catching geometric motif gives charm to a basic porch railing, and curtains add to the feel of a welcoming outdoor room.

Overall update

New sconces and matching aged-bronze hardware, a coat of golden yellow paint, easy-to-apply house numbers and a pair of easy-care planters gave this front door a thorough update. Click here for more details on this project.